LAOS: Christians' Grief Compounded by Funeral Ban

Dan and Tee claimed their son's body but were not allowed to hold a Christian funeral.

A Christian couple in a northern province of Laos continues to suffer painful persecution after the unresolved death of their son.

On Sunday, 2 November, Khong, 22, missed the church service because he was searching for his stolen motorbike. He did not return, and two days later, his body was found in a nearby rice field. No cause of death has been determined. Khong’s parents, Dan and Tee, wanted to bring the body home for a Christian funeral, but the head of their village refused to allow it unless they paid an exorbitant fee. The owner of the land where the body was found has also demanded a cow for a spirit ceremony to cleanse his land. The fines and ongoing threats and demands are compounding the grief Dan and Tee have experienced. Pray for their comfort and encouragement in this difficult time.